SALT LAKE CITY — Tosan Evbuomwan could also be light on NBA experience, but he’s sure benefiting from the playing time he’s getting now.
The Nets’ recent two-way player poured in a career-high 22 points and was even on the ground within the waning moments of their 112-111 extra time loss in Utah on Sunday.
“Amazing … at all times under control,” coach Jordi Fernandez said. “Looks like a man that has been there before and he’s 23. Very blissful to see him, keep working with him, keep developing him. He’s doing his job.”
The Englishman drew contact and went to the road to hit go-ahead free throws within the waning seconds of extra time. But after giving up a Utah basket, the Nets had two seconds left to get off a superb look and couldn’t.
“Each plays on defense and offense didn’t work the best way we desired to,” Fernandez said.
“We couldn’t get a shot off. I fumbled it. I didn’t get a shot off,” said Evbuomwan, who has drawn praise from his coaches and teammates for his poise.
Ben Simmons logged 31:38 but exceeded his minutes limit and left midway through the extra time.
“I played greater than I probably must have in that OT. But I desired to win, in order that’s just the competitiveness in me. So I stayed on the market so long as I could. … So I attempted to play that role and did what I could,” Simmons said.
“Now we have to be responsible,” Fernandez said. “A number of times, true competitors at all times will let you know, ‘I need to remain in.’ We talked about another players, you bought to avoid wasting them from themselves.
“Ben, I’m sure that if I asked him, he desired to be in, but at the identical time, we all know where we began this summer. We all know where we’re at straight away. We just like the progression, and we’re going to maintain doing that. We’re going to do what’s best for him, his body, first after which for the team.”
Simmons is all but certain to miss one in all the following two as well.
He still hasn’t been cleared to play each ends of back-to-backs yet with Brooklyn playing on the Trail Blazers on Tuesday and on the Clippers in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
D’Angelo Russell missed his fourth consecutive game Sunday with a right shin contusion.
Cam Johnson sat out a fifth straight with a right ankle sprain suffered within the waning seconds of their Jan. 2 victory in Milwaukee.
